Utah Governor Orders Investigation into Supreme Court Justice
On Friday, Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, along with top state lawmakers, initiated an independent investigation into allegations against a state Supreme Court justice who is reportedly involved in an unethical relationship with a lawyer from a significant redistricting case.
Judge Diana Hagen, who was appointed by Cox, faces accusations from her ex-husband of sending “inappropriate” text messages to David Layman, the attorney representing groups challenging redistricting maps that favored Republicans. Notably, Hagen was part of the unanimous decision that rejected a Republican-led redistricting proposal in July 2024, which could potentially change one of the seats to a Democratic majority before the 2026 midterms.
Details regarding Hagen’s alleged relationship with Layman emerged from a complaint lodged by her ex-husband’s attorney with Chief Justice Matthew Durant and the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Both Hagen and Layman have denied any wrongdoing. Contacts from media outlets have been made to a representative of the Utah Supreme Court and Layman for further comments.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct, which is an independent body consisting of legislators, judges, and public members, already conducted an initial inquiry into the complaint. They chose not to take further action. Attempts to reach the Commission for comment have been made.
In a public statement, the Utah Supreme Court defended Hagen, asserting that she did not experience any conflicts of interest.
Hagen responded to the allegations by highlighting her commitment to judicial ethics and integrity. “The last time I was involved in a rezoning case was October 2024,” she stated. “I voluntarily withdrew from all litigation related to Mr. Layman in May 2025, a decision documented in the League of Women Voters’ court opinion from September 15, 2025. I reported my ex-husband’s claims to the Judicial Conduct Committee and we promptly filed an affidavit for transparency.”
According to local reports, during interviews regarding the complaint, it was revealed that discussions about divorce between Hagen and her husband began in September 2024. They had some interactions towards the end of that year, though Hagen reportedly did not meet Layman one-on-one until 2025.
In a joint statement, Governor Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, and House Speaker Mike Schultz underscored the importance of “transparency” on this matter, expressing concern over public trust in the Supreme Court—especially after rulings on redistricting that may influence upcoming elections.
“The initial findings by the Judicial Conduct Commission and the court did not resolve several crucial issues,” they commented. “It’s vital that allegations like these, particularly those involving public officials, are investigated thoroughly to uphold public trust.”
